Strategies to Improve Synchronous Dataflows Analysis Using Mappings between Petri Nets and Dataflows

Abstract

Over the last decades a large variety of dataflow solutions emerged along with the proposed models of computation (MoC), namely the Synchronous Dataflows (SDF). These MoCs are widely used in streaming based systems such as data and video dominated systems. The scope of our work will be on consistent dataflow properties that can be easily demystified and efficiently determined with the outlined mapping approach between Dataflows and Petri nets. Along with this strategy, it is also highlighted that it's of a major relevance knowing in advance the proper initial conditions to start up any SDF avoiding buffer space over dimensioning. The methodology discussed in this paper improves the outcomes produced so far (in Petri net domain) at design stage aiming at knowing the amount of storage resource required, as well as has a substantial impact in the foreseen allocated memory resources by any signal processing system at the starting point and also points out new directions to minimize the buffer requirements at design stage. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2014.